Unidentified persons desecrated five mausoleums inside a mosque in Varanasi, sparking protests by members of the Muslim community, police said on Tuesday.

Five mausoleums in the Shershah Takia mosque adjoining a school building near Narharpura locality were desecrated late on Monday night, police said.

Local residents detected the desecration when they visited the mosque to offer prayers, they said.

Senior administrative and police officials pacified the protesters and the repair of the structures commenced soon under the supervision of the mosque committee.

No arrests have been made in connection with the incident, police said.